Attention
Mike Alstott fans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans, and all fans of the game of football
and the way the game is supposed to be played! Mike Alstott has expressed his
desire to retire
after this football season. This is terrible news for all of us who have loved
watching Mike
play these many years. But as much as this is probably happening, we still have
a precious few
games to enjoy. The problem: A head coach, namely Jon Gruden, who for whatever
the reasons
has not used this talented player. After playing a significant role in winning
the Super Bowl in
2002, Jon Gruden has given the ball less and less and this year has nearly all
but benched him.
The reasons for this are unclear, and as fans we should deal with the coach
himself at a later
time, but for now we have a mission. On December 31st, Mike will more than likely
be playing
his last game in the NFL. We cannot change the last few years of neglect from
the coach. We
cannot change the fact that Mike could have gone to another team and had a wonderful
finish
to his career, but his loyalty to his teammates, Tampa and his fans has kept
him here. We cannot
change that the coach has single-handely taken Mike out of Hall of Fame contention.
But we,
as fans of Mike and of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, can demand that on December
31st, playing
at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa against the Seattle Seahawks that Jon Gruden
put his
ego aside and GIVE MIKE THE BALL!Why should we do this?

1. The team is currently 4-11, and they are out of the playoff picture.

2. No player can be successful on every play, but the overwhelming majority
of the times
that Mike is given the ball he makes things happen.

3. We, as fans, deserve to see our favorite player have one more game where
he is allowed
to do what he does best.

4. Mike deserves to end his career in front of his city and his team on a high
note.

5. He just might help win the game!

What can we do?

1. At the game, wear your number 40 jersey.

2. At the game, the first time the offense takes the field, we should blow our
A-Train whistles
until the beginning of the first formation.

3. We should chant "Give Mike The Ball!" loud and often.

4. At halftime, if Mike has not been used much or at all (and we as fans are
not stupid, we know
if the situation dictates when he should get the ball), during the next offensive
possession we
should chant "Fire Jon Gruden!"

5. Call the Buccaneers and let them know how you feel.

6. Sign the online petition below, that will be delivered to the Glazers and
to the Buccaneers, the day before the game.

Online Petition

We, the fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, would like to
see our favorite player,
Mike Alstott, get the ball in the final game December 31st against the Seattle
Seahawks. We believe that with the playoffs out of the picture,
there is no reason not to give Mike the ball.
We believe that giving him the ball will only increase the chances of winning
the game. We are fans of the whole team, but
we would like to see Mike have one more game before he retires. Please do
this for him, for us fans, and fans of real football everywhere.(Petition ended 12/31/2006)
Started December 11, 2006